John e



(No Modem J. E. CAREY.

NECK YOKB CENTER. I No. 349.383. Patented Sept. 21,1886.

M PETERS. Piwlwulhcgrabhun Wa'lhington. D. C.

i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN E. CAREY, OF EAGLE GROVE, IOWVA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO F. J. WILL AND LYMAN MOATS, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

NECK-YOKE CENTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,383, dated September 21, 1886,

Application filed January 23, 1886. Serial No. 189,441.

The invention consists in the peculiar c011 struction and arrangement of the device to the ends above mentioned, as will be hereinafter fully and in detail set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the invention; Fig. 2, a

- plan view of the same; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section thereof, and Fig. 4a similar view of a modified form of the part which connects with the pole.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. i

In the use of the ordinary neck-yoke center several objections present themselves. One of the most common is the tendency of the neck-yoke to strike the pole with a disagreeable slapping sound whenever the team trots. It also tends to wear out the pole, and ascomposed of leather is of itself subj ect to rapid wear, requiring to be often replaced when put to continual use, as in the case of livery vehicles. Still another objection, and one common to all the neck-yoke centers with which I am familiar, is the ease with which they are detached From the- (No model.)

which is pivoted alatch, D, adapted to engage with the ring 6. At the opposite end of the latch from the hook is an extension, d, which serves as a finger-piece whereby to disengage the hook. Above this finger-piece, and to the body of the collar, is secured a spring, b,which holds the catchin position. Thisspringshould be made quite strong, so that in case of the accidental breakage or uncoupling of a trace the latch will hold the neck-yoke from slipping off the pole and the danger from that source be prevented. In this respect the peculiar form and position of other parts of the device afford material aid to the spring, as 'will be hereinafter explained; To prevent the latch from becoming disengaged from the spring the former is provided with a suitable seat, as represented in Fig. 3, and a cross-bar, (1, above the spring, as therein shown. On the upper side of the collaris formed a plane circularseat, to which is fitted the swivel B, connecting with the neck-yoke F. A pivot-bolt, 0, holds the two parts together, in connection with the nut f. The forward part of the swivel-plate is preferably recessed, as shown, and the collar is provided with an inwardlyextending annular flange,a, corresponding thereto. This takes much of the strain from the bolt, as the greater plate it is centrally chambered and a boss corresponding to the chamber is formed on the face of the collar-seat about the bolt, as shown in Fig. 3. Under the boss the collar is countersunk to receive the head of the bolt. To prevent the nut. from working loose through the action of the swivel-plate the end of the bolt should be riveted down somewhat over the nut after it has been screwed up to the proper place. The swivel-plate is secured to the neck-yoke by means of rivets or bolts, as indicated. It will be observed that the attachment of the neck-yoke is somewhat above and behind the center of the swivel-plate,- a line drawn through the center of the whole device representing about the line of draft thereon when in use. In the case of the breakage or detachment of a trace the neck-yoke will naturally be thrust forward, and a prying strain will be brought to bear upon the pole, thus aiding the latch in holding the collar in position.

Ihe collar is adapted to the different sizes of poles by the use of a bushing of leather, h, as shown in Fig. 3.

The device is preferably made of malleable iron, and the swivel-plate all in one piece, as represented in the principal figures; but for the sake of convenience in casting, the same may be made in two pieces, as shown in Fig. 4, and riveted together. In such case the rivet-holes tend to weaken the plate, and to compensate for this the device is provided with an extra strap of iron, B, riveted to the flange B, and passing under the nut at the lower end. lhus constructed the device may be easily and quickly applied to neck-yokesin common use, and when so attached forms astrong, safe, durable, and noiseless center.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a neck-yoke center, the combination of the collar A, having an internal socket for the head of the pivot-bolt c, the swivel-plate B, having the neckyoke-connecting portion B,

joined to said plate only back of its pivotal center, whereby easy access may be had to the nut of the pivot-bolt from the outside, and the said pivot-bolt c, all constructed substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a neck-yoke center, the combination of the collar A, having a circular seat on its up per side and a spring-latch on its under side, adapted to engage with the ring of the vehiclepole and hold said collar from displacement, the pivotbolt c, with its head socketed in the interior of said collar, and the swivel-plate B, ioined only to the back side of said plate to the neck-yoke-connecting portion B, leaving the front thereof open to receive the nut of the pivotbolt, substantially as specified.

3. In combination with the swivel-plate of a neck-yoke center composed of two parts riveted together, as described, the auxiliary clip B", substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN E. CAREY.

lVitnesses:

FRANK G. CLARK, E. R. WATTERs. 

